Assemblyman Bill Monning was elected in November 2008 to represent portions of Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and Monterey counties. Monning has been tapped to serve on several Assembly committees, including the budget committee in 2008 during the state's fiscal crisis. Monning's legislation spans a variety of issues, from health-care reform to energy conservation and coastline preservation. He's been a critic of Governor Schwarzenegger's decisions that affect the quality of life of California residents, particularly the poor and disabled.